Counterfeit electronic components are out there and in very critical applications. The Senate investigation on the DOD supply chain has revealed a huge number of counterfeits already in use in military equipment as well as on the stock shelves ready to be put into service. It is a wonder why we do not have more critical failures in the equipment than we already do. This problem does not look like it is going away anytime soon. There are some new programs being considered, such as DNA marking each new component, but that will not be helpful until those components become obsolete themselves. Click here to read more.

Robb Hammond is the President of AERI and the chair of the Aerospace Industry’s Counterfeit Electronic Components Mitigation Standard for independent distributors, AS6081, which has become one of the industry’s most respected documents, as well as being adopted by the Department of Defense. Robb is one of the foremost thought leaders in the industry on counterfeit detection and speaks regularly at conferences around the globe.